Car Wash

 Last Saturday, Mike and I were feeling a little worn down so we kind of just let the kids roam and do what ever they wanted all day long.  When we went out to check on them in the afternoon, this is what they had all come up with.

 We had half of the neighborhood kids over for a neighborhood car wash and we did even know it!

 Hallie found some dishsoap and got to work.

 So I told Luke that when he went home he could tell his mom that he didn't need a bath that night, because he already took one in the Jackson's front yard.

And that's what happens when you fall asleep on a Saturday afternoon and your kids get creative.

Feelin' Fishy

Last week, we went to the Living Planet Aquarium with Grandma Julie.  Here are some pics from our adventure:

 And we stopped on the way home at the Quilted Bear to mess around a bit.

Marchant/Jackson/John Campout

 Instead of Mexico this year, we decided on something a little cheaper... so we headed to Rockport State Park for a little weekend campout with our best buddies (minus the Greene's).  When we first got there, the sky was a little threatening, so we decided to put the boat in the water before the storm came in so we could park it next to camp.  BIG mistake.  The storm came in earlier than expected and we were stranded by the rocky shore several times, until some good samaritans came to help push us off and save our boat (and us) from total destruction.  The downside to that was that I didn't end up in the boat when we pushed it off and had to walk the two miles back to came in the pouring rain and pelting wind along the rocky shore, wincing with every step and scaling rocky cliffs when the water was too deep, barefoot, wearing only my swimsuit.  Good times.  It was quite an adventure but we survived and the weekend went on.

 The Marchant's and the John's showed up about an hour after the ordeal and Mike took the kids out on the boat for some fishing while I cooked dinner.

 We enjoyed our dutch oven chicken and potatoes, and finished it off with some good 'ol smores.

 Brandon & Lesli

 Monica & Tom

 Ang & Mike

 And the rest of the gang.

 After dinner, we put the kids to bed, and the John's, and played a mean game of Pinochle.

 In the morning, after a fantastic breakfast from Monica, the kids got in their suits and headed to the shore to play in the water for the rest of the day.

 Clara was adorable in her cute little vintage-looking suit.

 Cameron enjoyed splashing around and following the big kids.

 And Graham was content to be in Mommy or Daddy's arms.

 When we got camp cleaned up, we took the kids out on the water.

Cameron & Carly were a little hesitant that day... probably after seeing Lesli and I almost drown out there when Mike flipped us off the tube.

 Grady & Clara were more of the land-loving type.

 Tom & Monica took a little ride and Tom decided to do some wake boarding, too.

 Meanwhile, the kids tried to build a fort out of mud and stones,

 And played on their new boat.

 After Graham woke up from his little nap, he had some fun playing in the mud.

 So, of course, we had to take some pictures of that.

 It was such a beautiful day that the big kids could have stayed in the water for hours.

 Look at that nasty bum and that cute smile!

 Hmmm.

 Lesli made us a delicious lunch.

We all enjoyed soaking in the rays...

 And watching Bryant try to catch a fish...

 And Cameron cover himself in the mud.

 When everyone else decided it was time to go, we took the boat out for one last ride.  Only this time, we made it back to the dock just in time for the first rain drop to hit before it started to pour.